'Drunk' social worker struck off

A social worker from Sheffield who offered a client with alcohol issues a double whisky has been struck off.

When challenged by customers, Craig McLoughlin, 54, who admitted being drunk at the time, shouted that he was the man's social worker.

A committee of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) ruled that McLoughlin's actions amounted to misconduct.

The panel did not uphold allegations that McLoughlin had offered his client, known as Mr A, magic mushrooms.

The GSCC heard how Mr A, who had issues with psychosis linked to substance and alcohol abuse, was helped onto a detox programme by McLoughlin.

'I'll be your dad'

Andrew Swan, representing the GSCC, said McLoughlin had been on his own in a city centre pub on a day off in May 2005 when he bumped into Mr A and his girlfriend.

McLoughlin admitted that he had been very drunk and had consumed a bottle and a half of wine and several pints of beer, the panel heard.

The committee heard how McLoughlin invited the couple, who had gone to the pub for a meal, to sit with him.

McLoughlin then produced money and offered to buy whisky for Mr A.

I'm his social worker, this is our social work session Craig McLoughlin

"He went on to express his view to Mr A that nobody could be without alcohol and that was despite the fact that Mr A had recently undergone detox", Mr Swan said.

Mr A refused the drink.

Further distress was caused to Mr A, whose father died when he was 13, when McLoughlin said "Don't worry about your dad, I'll be your dad", the tribunal heard.

After McLoughlin had shouted to customers "I'm his social worker, this is our social work session", Mr A telephoned his grandmother to tell her what was going on.

She then reported McLoughlin to his bosses.

'Committed chap'

The GSCC committee did not find proof for allegations that McLoughlin offered Mr A some magic mushrooms, or that he asked Mr A to provide him with cannabis or sleeping tablets.

McLoughlin was employed by the city council to work for the Sheffield Care Trust in mental health services from September 2004.

He had been working on a temporary contract but resigned on the day of a disciplinary hearing in September 2005.

Elizabeth Johnson of the Sheffield Care Trust, said: "He [McLoughlin] was a genuinely nice and committed chap, but with an alcohol problem.

"The outcome for Mr A was devastating. He was lucky he had his grandmother for support."